Isco's objective: Clásico at Camp Nou on 28 October

Julen Lopetegui started his press conference on Tuesday afternoon with news that Isco was ready to go under the knife for acute appendicitis. It's a particularly tough blow given Isco was starting to find his feet in Lopetegui's team and with a lot of important games on the horizon. The goal is for Isco to be back in time for the Clásico on October 28 at the Camp Nou, which would mean he misses five games.

The loss of such an important member of the squad will be felt, he is the third most used midfielder this season with 443 minutes and just behind Toni Kroos and Casemiro. Real Madrid travel to Sevilla on Wednesday where they have not won in three attempts in the league and four attempts in total. They haven't recorded a victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since 2014-15. After that, they play Atlético Madrid at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have failed to win in their last four Madrid derbies. There is the matter of CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and then Levante in the league with Real Madrid dropping points against them last season.

Real Madrid fixtures till El Clásico

They might chance him for this game but Real Madrid have been cautious with risking players on their way back from injury. Lopetegui does hope to have his creative midfielder back for the Clásico though depending on his fitness levels.

Isco came on and scored the equaliser against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames, played an important role against Roma in the Champions League and the same again versus Espanyol at the weekend. Lopetegui has confidence in his squad and says he has loads of solutions and he will have to find a suitable one for the next month with Isco on the recovery table.